Audi R8 (2008) Front Upper Suspension Ball joint

[greatblackhawk]

I’m new to this Forum and not as technically gifted as many enthusiasts so please excuse any naivety.

My Audi R8 (2008 V8) had an Advisory on its latest MOT relating to the Suspension component ball joint Offside Front Upper Suspension having slight play. 

I have been advised that Audi no longer make the exact same part and that I'd need to “upgrade” which is more complex and expensive than I thought as it’s potentially a significant cost.

Just focussing on the ball joint itself, It seems that as far as the front ball joints are concerned they appear to be the same 'screwed in' type as in the rear which might be a way forward in terms of compatibility.

A bit left of a left field thought but might I be to buy the updated whole new wishbone and then unscrew the ball joint and put it into my old original wishbone. Therefore, just having the cost of one wishbone.

I would accept that the actual wishbone is different but the ball joint isn't.

It this were possible it would negate having to change all of the suspension parts just for the sake of a rubber ball joint.

Given the condition of UK roads in the last few years with potholes everywhere ball joint fails seem increasingly likely!

 

[Magnet]

Hello Jonathan,

Thanks for joining. 
Apologies, but it’s rather difficult to fully understand the exact set up without inspection/ part drawing, so advice will be restricted to those who have been-there-done-that. 
Could you let us know who has informed you that the ball joint isn’t (any longer?) available as a separate part? 
We might be able to suggest other avenues once we know where you have tried. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[greatblackhawk]

Thanks for this Gareth, greatly appreciated

What follows is probably a more accurate statement of my position which I hope answers the points you make.

As stated I had my 2008 Audi R8 4.2 MOT’d (early this month) which was given an Advisory relating to the Suspension component ball joint Offside (Driver’s side) front Upper Suspension having slight play.

The Garage who did the MOT said they couldn’t fix the problem (they didn’t explain why).

I went to a highly reputable local Audi specialist who confirmed that the ball joint had play and then advised that as AUDI no longer manufactured this exact same part they would need to replace parts on both sides for safety reasons.

To sense check this I called another Garage (without leading the witness) who confirmed that these parts are no longer available so the only way to fix (Audi speak) is to replace offside and near side left and right upper wishbones etc with the newly modified approved Audi parts.

As the Car is drivable I have 11 months to address but as replacing with new AUDI parts including Labour is much more complex and significantly more expensive than I thought to fix I wanted to explore other initiatives.

I have downloaded an “exploded” picture of the part(s) in question which is 420 407 506 E Wishbone Right Upper M14 which I can source via an on-line organisation who seem to have a good reputation.

I’m keen to resolve sometime soon.

Therefore, my question is would a Garage be able (or prepared) to help me fix this problem if I can procure the OEM part in question from a reliable source. I’d accept that this would need to be at my “risk”

 

[Magnet]

Many thanks Jonathan, 

To try to keep it as brief as possible:- 

If the ball joint isn’t available as a separate part, then replacing the complete upper wishbone on the offending o/s is the way forward. 
Need to replace both ‘for safety reasons’ ? Don’t agree that this would be necessary. 
Not sure who your on-line respected supplier is, or more importantly what aftermarket brand you have been looking at, but I have used Febi for such components, and have used Car Parts in Motion as a competitively priced supplier. Lemforder would be an alternative, and likely more expensive brand, and may have been the OE supplier to VAG for such components. 

Summary:- buy and get fitted (at a trusted local garage) the off side upper wishbone. 
Hope some of this helps.

Kind regards,

Gareth.